Little Otter Learns to Swim

Artie Knapp’s heartwarming tale in rhyme celebrates the busyness of a mammal’s life in a river. Jump in and enjoy the fun! — J. Patrick Lewis, former U.S. Children's Poet Laureate

Otters have always seemed to me the most magical of creatures—graceful, playful, but elusive. Little Otter Learns to Swim confirms my opinion with superb illustrations and engaging text. While otters are the main focus of the story, each illustration shows other animals that are part of otters’ natural habitat. Facts about river otters and efforts to help protect them follows this beautifully illustrated story. — Mary Azarian, Caldecott medalist

Sure to become a favorite for readers of all ages.…Even better, at the end, there is a list of interesting facts about river otters to help you answer the many questions your youngster will undoubtedly ask. Little Otter Learns to Swim is the new must-have for your student’s bookshelf! — Sheila Cooper, New Jersey Literacy Association

Endpapers feature information on North American otters, The River Otter Ecology Project, and saving watersheds. Children will enjoy this simple and gentle story surrounding the world of a little North American river otter. — The Children’s Hour

Little Otter Learns to Swim is certain to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition to family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library animal/wildlife picture book collections for children. — Midwest Book Review

This is a great resource for early elementary school projects and story time. — Resource Links

This book has such beautiful illustrations and a sweet story to match. The little otter in the story learns to swim and play with support of her mother. After exploring on her own, she learns that home is the best place to be. — Swimming into Second

Little Otter Learns to Swim must be one of the most beautiful children’s books I have ever had the pleasure of reading. The rhyming words tell the story of how little Otter learned to swim and the fun that was had, as well as how the river is the safest place from all the predators. This book is so heartwarming and mesmerizing and I just adore it and couldn’t give it anything less than five stars. — Whisperingstories.com

This book has such beautiful illustrations and a sweet story to match. The little otter in the story learns to swim and play with the support of her mother. After exploring on her own, she learns that home is the best place to be. — Swimming into Second

The sweet, rhyming text flows well with the stunning full page, watercolor illustrations by wildlife artist Guy Hobbs. The soft detail of the otters and other animals magically make the scenes come alive as the readers root for Little Otter as she perseveres and makes her way back home away from danger. — Children's Book Review

This is a cute book for ages 6-8, although it would make a good rhyming read-aloud book for younger children as well. Kids will relate to the fear of the unknown, perhaps even the fear of learning to swim, that Little Otter exhibits. They will also celebrate overcoming those fears. The beautiful illustrations by Guy Hobbs add to the storyline with details including the flora and fauna of Little Otter’s river home. — Vegbooks.org

Knapp and Hobbs collaborated together to not only create an exceptional conservation-based picture book for kids, but the story is also followed by two pages of fun facts about river otters as well as information and resources from the River Otter Ecology Project. — Jump into a Book

Accompanied by sweet and charismatic illustrations by wildlife artist Guy Hobbs, the rhyming picture book is a lovely introduction to water habitats, conservation, and the importance of trying new things. — Literary Features Syndicate

A wonderful, beautifully illustrated story for children and families. Little Otter Learns to Swim is cheerful, exciting, and an educational treasure—it hits all the marks! — Lincoln Kids

This is an adorable tale of a baby river otter who sets off, encouraged by her mom, to explore her habitat. While learning to swim, dive, and play she encounters many friends, but also a few predators. You and your kids will be sure to enjoy reading this sweet tale, as well as the river otter facts at the end of the book. — LessonsbySandy.com

Sweet, informative, and gentle—this is a lovely book which introduces young listeners to the world of river otters. — Bookworm for Kids

Five stars! — Jabberblabber

This delightful story of one of the world’s cutest creatures makes for a great read-aloud book. Beautiful illustrations take us into the otter’s world. The story is followed by two pages of fun facts about river otters as well as information and resources from the River Otter Ecology Project. — Kid Scoop News

An entertaining story about a young otter learning the ways of her world, followed by facts about North American river otters. — KIDSbookshelf

Little Otter Learns to Swim would make a good choice for shared reading between parents and children. It is also an excellent classroom resource for kindergarten to grade three students as it is a prime example of a nonfiction picture book with cross curricular links to science. The related activities and resources at the end of the book would be very useful for teachers looking to extend learning about animals and their habitats. — CM: Canadian Review of Materials

Very cute. Sticking to a simple, gentle story, the reader is introduced to the world of a river otter; primarily their environment and habitat, and the animals that share those with them. The illustrations are done in a realistic, naturalist art style that gives a compelling look at animals both familiar and unfamiliar, such as bobcats, bumblebees, rainbow trout, and more. — Baby Bookworm

This is one of my five-year-old's favorite books right now. She didn't have a huge interest in river otters until we read this book. What makes this children's book even more of a gem to me are the additional pages in the back which educate children about the importance of river otters with a list of river otter facts. There's so much to learn and discuss here. Also included is a page on how children can get involved with helping river otters. This book will help keep children in touch with nature and it's perfect for home, schools, and libraries. — ReadRantRock&Roll

Children will enjoy this simple and gentle story surrounding the world of a little North American river otter. Notable. — The Children's Hour

This beautifully illustrated—often a two-page spread—book is a fictionalized account of a little river otter learning to swim. She is lovingly taught by her mother, jumping off logs, swimming underwater, and just playing in the water. Her mother also teaches her how to look out for predators and where to hide. Though this is a fictionalized story, it mirrors the life of a real river otter which, according to the facts included at the end of the book, do not learn to swim until they are one to three months old. Ways to help the river otter are also included. The illustrator, Guy Hobbs, specializes in wildlife illustration, which is so evident in these soft blue/gray/green water scenes. — Youth Services Book Review

Children have a great opportunity here to learn about the life of a river otter, about animals on other continents, and why they are so important in the cycle of nature. — Armadillo Children's Book Review